Solenoid mounting means for pianos



March 31, 1964 c. H. WOOD SOLENOID MOUNTING MEANS FOR PIANOS Filed Feb. 3, 1961 mmvrox. (fig/es 77 Z0501 ATTOFJVFYS.

United States Patent 3,126,784 SOLENOID MOUNTING MEANS FOR PIANOS CharlesH. Wood, Bulfalo, N.Y., assignor to Aurora Corporation of Illinois, Buffalo, N.Y., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 86,917 Claims. (Cl. 84--246) This invention relates to pianos having solenoid-actuated note playing means, and more particularly to solenoid mounting means having new and improved armature rod guide means and guide clamping means.

The subject matter of the present invention is related to that disclosed in the copending applications of Lee L. Von Gunten, Serial No. 794,902, filed February 24, 1959 and entitled Piano Having Electric Playing Means Therefor, and Serial No. 86,916, filed February 3, 1961 and entitled Solenoid Means and Solenoid Mounting Means for Pianos, and also the co-pending application of Richard F. Fauser, Serial No. 86,910, filed February 3, 1961 and entitled Solenoid Assembly Means for Actuating Piano Playing Means.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide such armature rod guide means and guide clamping means which are so constructed and designed as to properly locate the guide means, as well as the solenoid armature rod means and striking means thereon, longitudinally of the note playing means.

Another object is to provide such armature rod guide means and guide clamping means which are so constructed and designed as to facilitate adjustment of the guide means, as well as the solenoid armature rod means and striking means thereon transversely of the note playing means, while maintaining the proper location of such guide, rod and striking means longitudinally of such note playing means.

Still another object is to provide such armature rod guide means and guide clamping means which are so constructed and designed as to securely clamp the guide means in the desired position for proper operation of the solenoid armature rod means.

A further object is to provide such armature rod guide means and guide clamping means which are simple, yet rugged in construction for long wear, economical to manufacture, and easy to assemble and disassemble.

A still further object is to provide such armature rod guide means which are so constructed and designed as to not only properly control the movement of the armature rod means, but also to insure quiet operation thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawing wherein.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of part of a piano action, solenoid mounting means arranged .below the action and including solenoid armature rod guide means and guide clamping means constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention, and a plurality of solenoid assembly means supported on the mounting means, one assembly means being shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the juxtaposed guide means and the armature rod means passing severally therethrough;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the guide means and armature rod means shown in 'FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged and exploded, fragmentary front perspective view of the shelf forming part of the mounting means, a guide member and bushing contributing a preferred embodiment of the inventive guide means, and a preferred embodiment of the inventive clamping bar means, as illustrated in FIGS. l3.

Patented Mar. 31, 1964 Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of a typical piano action is generally indicated at Ill, and this action includes a sticker or abstract 11 which is raised by a playing key (not shown) and is pivotally connected to the forward end of a horizontal whip 12. Upon operation of the playing key, the sticker 11 causes the whip 12 to pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 and actuate the hammer (not shown) of the action and sound the desired note. This type of action is generally used with an upright type of piano (not shown), all as is well known and understood by those skilled in the art. However, the application of the present invention is not necessarily restricted to such an action or upright type of piano.

Located below the whip 12 of action 10* are the solenoid assemblies generally indicated at 13 and the inventive solenoid mounting means generally indicated at 14. The solenoid assemblies 13 are electrically connected to a chord and note playing mechanism such as described in the aforesaid Von Gunten applications, and upon energization, the solenoid assemblies severally strike the corresponding whips 12 to actuate the hammers of the actions, as noted above.

The solenoid mounting means 14 includes an upright panel 15 which is made of any suitable material such as fiberboard, is spaced below and extends transversely of the whip 12. This panel is provided with a fiat, front working surface 16 and is secured to the piano frame (not shown) in any suitable manner. Securedto support panel 15 are the various solenoid assemblies 13, three such assemblies being shown in vertically spaced arrangement. Actually, the solenoid assemblies 13 are arranged in three vertically spaced, horizontal rows, with solenoid assemblies in one row being horizontally offset or staggered with respect to those in another row, as described in the aforesaid Von Gunten application Serial No. 86,916. Only one solenoid assembly '13 in each row is shown in FIG. 1. In this manner, the movable portions of the various solenoid assemblies 13 which strike the corresponding whip 12 may be arranged directly beneath such juxtaposed whip, as suggested in FIG. 2.

Continuing with FIG. 1, the solenoid mounting means 14 includes a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal and elongated clamping bars 17 which also extend transversely of the actions 10. These bars 17 are arranged along the front fiat surface 16 of support panel 15, and one bar is preferably provided for each row of solenoid assemblies 13. Each bar 17 is preferably channel-shaped in cross section and is arranged so that the edge of its lower flange 1S opposes and abuts the flat surface 16 of panel 15, while its upper flange 2b, which is narrower than the lower flange 18, has its edge opposing but spaced from surface 16. Each bar 17 is also mounted [for generally normal movement relative to surface 16, and the clamping action of each bar against the surface may be varied by any suitable fastening means such as bolts 21 which pass through a hole provided in the bar 17 between its flanges, as well as an alined hole provided in panel 15, and are secured in place by nuts 22.

As also seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the motion of certain movable elements of the solenoid assemblies 13 is preferably controlled by the following elements of the mounting means 14. A single horizontal shelf 23 for the three rows of selonoid assemblies is provided, and this shelf is preferably formed from an elongated sheet of metal, such as aluminum, which is bent into a substantially L-shape in cross section. The shelf 23 is arranged horizontally along support panel 15 to extend transversely of the actions 10, and the depending vertical leg 24 of the shelf abuts against working surface 16 of panel 15, and is rigidly secured in place by any suitable fastening means, such as screws (not shown). The upper horizontal leg of the shelf extends laterally outwardly or frontwardly away from panel 15, and is provided on its upper surface with an elongated cushioning member 26, which cushioning member is preferably made of a suitable, non-metallic resilient material such as felt, and may be adhesively secured to the top surface of the horizontal leg 25 of the shelf.

Spaced below the shelf 23 and contributing a preferred embodiment of the invention is an elongated and horizontal upper clamping bar 27 which is preferably formed from a sheet of suitable metal, such as aluminum, and is bent into a generally Z-shape in cross section. The upper horizontal leg 28 of bar 27 is spaced below and arranged substantially parallel ,to the horizontal leg 25 of shelf 23, while the end of the lower horizontal leg 30 of bar 27 opposes the flat surface 16 of panel 15 and engages the vertical leg 24 of the shelf. These upper and lower horizontal legs 28, 30 are connected by a vertical leg 31. The upper horizontal leg 23 of bar 27 is arranged for movement toward and away from shelf 23, the bar being secured to the panel by any suitable fastening means, such as screws 32, which pass through alined holes provided in vertical legs 31 and 24 into the body of panel 15 and are adjustable for varying the clamping action of leg 28 of bar 27 with respect to leg 25 of shelf 23.

In addition, and as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, leg 28 of bar 27 is bent to provide an elongated and substantially U-shaped recess on channel 33 facing or opening upwardly toward leg 25 of shelf 23 and extending transversely of whips 12. The purpose of such recess will be described below.

Continuing with FIGS. 3 and 4, each guide means, which also constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, is composed of an elongated upper guide member 34 made of suitable metal such as aluminum, and a resilient cylindrical bushing 35, preferably made of rubber. The guide member 34 has its intermediate portion clamped between leg 25 of shelf 23 and leg 28 of bar 27 and terminates at its inner end in a vertically depending lateral flange 36 arranged in recess 33. The outer end portion of the guide member 34 protrudes outwardly or frontwardly from shelf 23 and bar 27. The outer end of each guide member 34 isalso provided with a pair of laterally spaced guides or arms 37 having their opposing edges cut away to form a generally keyhole-shaped slot 38. The bushing is inserted under compression through the narrow entrance into the arcuate portion of slot 38 and is provided-with outstanding radial end flanges overlapping the opposite faces of guides 37, and is provided'with a central through opening 41. As seen in FIG. 3, flanges 40 securely anchor the bushing 35 in slot 38 against vertical movement while opening 41 slidably receives the solenoid armature rod to be described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 iii-particular, it will be apparent that a plurality of guide members 34 are provided, and they are arranged in juxtaposition between the shelf 23 and clamping bar 27. Likewise, it will be apparent that the recess 33 in leg 28 of bar 27 and the flange 36 on each guide member perform an important function in properly locating each guide member longitudinally of the corresponding whip 12. In addition, upon loosening screws 32, the guide members 34 are released sufliciently to be moved transversely of and alined directly beneath the corresponding whips 12, while re- Referring now to FIG. 1, the structure of the solenoid assemblies 13 will be briefly described, it being noted that such assemblies form the subject matter of the aforesaid Fauser application and reference to such application may be made for a more detailed description.

Each such assembly includes a generally rectangular casing generally indicated at 42, and which casing is also composed of two'metal plates, each plate being bent into a substantially L-shape. One plate forms the front wall 43 and top wall 44, while the other plate forms the rear wall 45 and bottom wall 46, and these plates are secured together in any suitable manner, not shown.

The casing 42 is also provided with suitable lower guide means which include a cylindrical bushing 47 of resilient material such as rubber, arranged at the front end of bottom wall 46 and having a central through opening receiving the solenoid armature rod to be described below. Actually, the lower guide means on casing 42 are identical to the guides 37, slot 38 and bushing 35 of FIG. 4.

Continuing with casing 42, the top and bottom Walls 44 and 46 thereof are provided with vertically alined, through openings 5% and 51 respectively, for receiving portions of the solenoid coil means to be described below. At its lower end, the rear wall 45 of casing 42 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced, vertically depending tongues 52 (only one being shown), and these tongues are adapetd to fit between the upper flange 20 i of the lower clamping bar 17 and the flat surface 16 cess 33 and flanges 36 maintain the desired location of of support panel 15. Just as with the upper clamping bar 27, adjustment of bolts 21 and nuts 22 varies the clamping action of the corresponding lower clamping bar 17 to permit the desired movement of each casing 42 transversely of the whip 12, and the desired alinement of the casing 42 directly beneath such whip.

Each solenoid assembly 13 also includes vertically arranged coil means composed of a cylindrical coil 53 of wire grounded to the casing 42 and wound around a cylindrical bobbin or spool 54 of suitable non-metallic material, such as nylon, and including an elongated hollow cylindrical core 55 provided with outstanding radial flanges 56 spaced inwardly from each end. The flanges 56 respective engage the opposing sides of the top and bottom casing walls 44, 46' and the protruding ends of the core '55 are received in the alined openings 50, 51 provided in such top'and bottom walls, respectively, all for securely retaining the coil means in proper position within casing 42.

Each solenoid assembly 13 also includes a cylindrical aramature 57 which is preferably made of suitable magnetically permeable metallic material, and is likewise adapted to reciprocate vertically within core 55 of spool 54; the armature closely fitting within the core and relying upon guiding by the lower guide bushing 47 for maintaining such close fit. At its lower end, the armature 57 is provided with an internally threaded recess 58 for a purpose to be described below;

In addition, each solenoid assembly 13 includes a vertically movable and elongated armature rod which is adapted to pass through the hole 48 provided in the bushing or grommet 47 on bottom wall 46 of casing 42, as well as through the hole 41 provided in the corresponding upper guide bushing 35. There are actually three armature rods illustrated in FIG. 1, the longest being designated as 60a, the one of intermediate length as 601; and the shortest as 600. Each armature rod is provided with a lower, laterally offset end portion 61a, b or 0 having a vertically arranged and externally threaded tip 62a, 12 or c which is screwed into the recess 58 in the corresponding armature 57, and a horizontal upper end portion 63a, b or c (the latter two not being shown) which extends over the cushioning member 26 on shelf 23 and is provided with an eye 64 at its outer end. Mounted in the eye is a striking head 65 which is preferably made of suit able resilient material such as rubber. This head 65 may actually take the form of an annular rubber bushing grommet, such as 35 or 47, and is provided with radially outstanding end flanges 66 which overlap the opposite faces of the eye 64.

At its position of rest, as shown in FIG. 1, each striker head 65 is supported upon the cushioning member 26 and is spaced directly below the forward end of the corresponding whip 12. However, upon energization of the corresponding solenoid assembly 13, the armature 56 and the armature rod, such as 60:: move vertically upwardly to lift the head which strikes the whip and actuates the piano action, for sounding the desired note.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that the upper guide members 34, together with the armature rods, such as 60a and the casings 42 may be readily adjusted transversely of the corresponding whips 12 for properly alining the striking heads 65 directly beneath their corresponding whips. Likewise, it will be noted that the movement of the armature rods and striking heads of the various solenoid assemblies is effectively controlled by the bushings 35 in upper guide members 34, together with the bushings 47 in the lower casing walls 46, and that the rubber material of the bushings 35, bushings 47 and striking heads 65, together with the belt material of the cushioning member 26, ensure quiet operation of such solenoid assemblies.

In addition, it will be apparent how the invention accomplishes its various objectives. For example, the recess or channel 33 provided in the leg 28 of clam-ping bar 27 and the flanges 36 on the various upper guide members 34 cooperate to properly locate the guide members, as well as the armature rods and striking heads, longitudinally of the whips 12. Moreover, such recess 33 and flanges 36 not only facilitate the transverse adjustment of the various upper guide members 34, but also maintain their desired longitudinal location with respect to the whips. Further, such recess and flanges securely clamp the guide members 34 in the desired position for proper operation of the armature rods. Finally, it will also be apparent that the upper guide members 34 and clamping bar 27 are not only simple and rugged in construction for long wear, but also economical to manufacture and easy to assemble and disassemble.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a single embodiment, it will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a piano having note playing means, the combination therewith of support means, guide means engaging said support means and having flange means, bar means adjustably clamping said guide means to said support means and having a recess arranged transversely of said playing means and receiving said flange means to locate said guide means longitudinally of said playing means, and solenoid means for actuating said playing means and including movable armature rod means passing through said guide means, whereby upon adjustment of said bar means, said guide means and armature rod means may be moved transversely of said playing means while maintaining their location longitudinally of said playing means.

2. In a piano having a plurality of note playing means arranged in juxtaposition, the combination therewith of support means having lateral shelf means, clamping bar means opposing said shelf means and having a recess facing said shelf means and arranged tnansversely of certain of said playing means, adjustable means permitting said bar means to move toward and away from said shelf means, a plurality of guide means arranged in juxtaposition, each guide means being adjustably interposed between said shelf me ans and bar means and having flange means arranged in said recess to locate each guide means longitudinally of said certain playing means, and a plural- 6 ity of solenoid means for severally actuating said certain playing means, each of said solenoid means including movable armature rod means passing through one of said guide means, whereby upon adjustment of said adjustable means, said guide means and armature rod means may be moved transversely of said playing means while maintaining their location longitudinally of said playing means.

3. In a piano having note playing means, the combination therewith of a support having a lateral shelf spaced from and extending transversely of said playing means, a clamping bar arranged transversely of said playing means and having a portion spaced from and arranged generally parallel to said shelf and provided with a substantially U-shaped recess facing said shelf and extending transversely of said playing means, means fastening said bar to said support and being adjustable to vary the clamping action of said bar portion with respect to said shelf, an elongated guide member having a portion clamped between said shelf and bar portion and provided at one end with a flange arranged in said recess to locate said guide member longitudinally of said playing means and having its other end portion protruding outwardly from said shelf and bar, and a solenoid for actuating said playing means and including a movable armature rod passing through said protruding end portion of said guide member, whereby upon adjustment of said fastening means, said guide member and armature rod may be moved transversely of said playing means while maintaining their location longitudinally of said playing means.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said protruding end portion of said guide member is provided with a pair of laterally spaced guides having their opposing edges cut away to form an outwardly open substantially keyholeshaped slot, and a resilient cylindrical bushing arranged in the arcuate portion of said slot and provided with outstanding radial flanges overlapping the opposite faces of said guides and having a central through hole receiving said armature rod.

5. In a piano having a plurality of note playing means arranged in juxtaposition, the combination therewith of a support having an elongated lateral shelf spaced from and extending transversely of certain of said playing means, an elongated clamping bar arranged transversely of said certain playing means and having a portion spaced from and arranged generally parallel to said shelf and provided with an elongated and substantially U-shaped recess facing said shelf and extending transversely of said certain playing means, a plurality of means fastening said bar to said support and being adjustable to vary the clamping action of said bar portion with respect to said shelf, a plurality of elongated guide members arranged in juxtaposition, each of said guide members having a portion clamped between said shelf and bar portion and provided at its inner end with a flange arranged in said recess to locate each guide member longitudinally of the corresponding one of said certain playing means and having its outer end portion protruding outwardly from said shelf and bar, and a plurality of solenoids for severally actuating said certain playing means, each of said solenoids including a movable armature rod passing through the outer end portion of the corresponding one of said guide members, whereby upon adjustment of said fastening means, said guide members and armature rods may be severally moved transversely of said certain playing means, while maintaining their location longitudinally of said certain playing means.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the outer end portion of each guide member is provided with a pair of laterally spaced guides having their opposing edges cut away to form an outwardly open substantially keyholeshaped slot, and a resilient cylindrical bushing arranged in the arcuate portion of said slot and provided with outsanding radial flanges overlapping the opposite faces of said guides and having a central through hole receiving the corresponding one of said armature rods.

7. In a piano having an action including a movable element, the combination therewith of a support having a lateral shelf and a flat surface both spaced from and extending transversely of said element, a clamping bar arranged transversely of said element and having a first portion spaced from and arranged generally parallel to'said shelf and provide with a substantially U-shaped recess facing said shelf and extending transversely of said element, a second portion arranged parallel to said shelf and opposing said flat surface and a third portion connecting said first and second portions and arranged parallel to said flat surface, means extending through said third portion into said support for fastening said bar thereto and being adjustable to vary the clamping action of said first portion with respect to said shelf, an elongated guide member having a portion clamped between said shelf and first portion and terminating at its inner end in a lateral flange arranged in said recess to locate said guide longitudinally of said element and having its outer end protruding outwardly from said shelf and bar, and a solenoid operatively associated with said element and including a movable armature rod passing through said outer end of said guide member and a striking head connected to said rod and supported on said shelf, whereby upon energization of said solenoid said head moves away from said shelf to strike said element, and upon adjustment of said fastening means said guide member, striking head and armature rod may be moved transversely of and alined with said element, while maintaining their location longitudinally of said element.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said outer end portion of'said guide member is provided with a'pair of laterally spaced guides having their opposing edges cut away to form an outwardly open substantially keyholeshaped slot, and a resilient cylindrical bushing arranged in the arcuate portion of said slot and provided with outstanding radial flanges overlapping the opposite faces of said guides and having acentral through opening receiving said armature rod. 7

9. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of actions severally having movable generally horizontal elements arranged in juxtaposition, an upright support having a horizontal shelf and a vertical flat surface both spaced below and extending transversely of certain of said elements, an elongated horizontal clamping bar arranged transversely of said element and having an upper horizontal portion spaced below and arranged generally parallel to said shelf and provided with an elongated substantially U-shaped recess facing said shelf and extending transversely of said certain elements, a lower horizontal portion opposing said flat surface and a vertical portion connecting said horizontal portions, a plurality of means severally extending through said vertical portion into said support for fastening said bar thereto and being severally adjustable to' vary the clamping action of said upper horizontal portion with respect to said shelf, a plurality of elongated guide members arranged in juxtaposition and each having a portion clamped between said shelf and upper horizontal portion and terminating at its inner end in a vertical flange arranged in said recess to locate each guide member longitudinally of the corresponding one of said certain elements and having its outer end portion protruding outwardly from said shelf and bar, and a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associated with said certain elements, each of said solenoids including a vertically movable armature rod passing through said outer end portion of one of said guide members, and a striking head connected to said rod and supported on said shelf, whereby upon energization of one of said solenoids its head moves upwardly to strike the corresponding one of saidcertain elements, and upon adjustment of said fastening means said guide members, heads and armature rods may be severally moved transversely of and alined with the corresponding one of said certain elements, while maintaining their location longitudinally of said corresponding elements.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the outer end portion of each guide member is provided with a pair of laterally spaced guides having their opposing edges cut away to form an outwardly open substantially keyholeshaped slot, and a resilient cylindrical bushing arranged in the arcuate portion of said slot and provided with outstanding radial flanges overlapping the opposite faces of said guides and having a central through opening receiving said armature rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 730,098 Davis June 2, 1903 824,315 Shonnard June 26, 1906 1,006,268 Peirce Oct. 17, 1911 1,603,871 Sandell Oct. 19, 1926 1,800,075 Imrie Apr. 7, 1931 3,088,360 Hayden May 7, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 140,294 Germany Apr. 6, 1902 

1. IN A PIANO HAVING NOTE PLAYING MEANS, THE COMBINATION THEREWITH OF SUPPORT MEANS, GUIDE MEANS ENGAGING SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND HAVING FLANGE MEANS, BAR MEANS ADJUSTABLY CLAMPING SAID GUIDE MEANS TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND HAVING A RECESS ARRANGED TRANSVERSELY OF SAID PLAYING MEANS AND RECEIVING SAID FLANGE MEANS TO LOCATE SAID GUIDE MEANS LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID PLAYING MEANS, AND SOLENOID MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID PLAYING MEANS AND INCLUDING MOVABLE ARMATURE ROD MEANS PASSING THROUGH SAID GUIDE MEANS, WHEREBY UPON ADJUSTMENT OF SAID BAR MEANS, SAID GUIDE MEANS AND ARMATURE ROD MEANS MAY BE MOVED TRANSVERSELY OF SAID PLAYING MEANS WHILE MAINTAINING THEIR LOCATION LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID PLAYING MEANS. 